Back to the Basics

I am the vine. You are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing. -John 15: 5

Vines and branches…salt and pepper…bread and butter…bricks and mortar…Southerners and football season. It is hard to imagine one without the other.

When Kari, Christi, and I attended the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s annual Wild Game Luncheon this past April, we got a glimpse of the everyday faith in the life of four major collegiate football programs in our state. Mississippi seems to finish last in too many categories, but in the area of Christian coaches who walk their talk—we are bound to be at the top of the list.

Every mom or dad who ever dropped their pride-and-joy baby boy off for football practice has probably thanked God more than once when the football coach’s game plan was about more than those x’s and o’s of play execution. If the coach displayed a genuine concern about the spiritual destiny of the boys who were perspiring under the weight of all that proudly worn football gear, you can be sure there were some happy mamas around. What parent does not dream of a Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith, or Tom Landry crossing paths with their budding athlete? Whether we are talking fifth grade or collegiate recruit, the coach is a key influence in the lives of his players. His words and his actions can turn a kid’s head 180 degrees.

One theme that seemed to run through each story of all these coaches involves the handling of adversity. They have all confronted disappointment and defeat at some point. Each one has a clear and unapologetic testimony of God’s grace equipping him to put one foot in front of the other minute by minute and day by day. A single focus—that unwavering pursuit of a goal, deep integrity in living their values, and a faith that did not disappear even when the lights went out and the crowd was not in their corner—all the principles that make for success in coaching make for success in living.

It occurs to me that the life of a college coach is a study in balance—doing and being…working and resting…planning, strategizing, and then letting it go…preparing for the best while developing a talent for coping when the best you have is either out of sync or falls short of your expectations. Whether it involves being a good football coach or living an authentic Christian life, there is no guarantee that God’s plans and our plans will mesh. The one sure thing in life, as well as football, is that one should never underestimate the cunning moves of the opponent and that, sometimes, what looks like failure is just a new opportunity to hone the necessary skills and make a comeback with greater strength. Rising to meet our challenges successfully, courageously, and with some measure of grace, has a lot to do with how grounded we are in the basics.

There is a much told story of Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. He was hired and given the quite daunting responsibility of turning a losing team into a winning team. He managed to do just that taking his team to three world championships over the next several years. However, his journey was uphill and filled with maddening moments. In the middle of one frustrating practice, he blew his whistle, called his players to the centerfield and held up the football. “Gentlemen,” he said. “This is a football. These are the yard markers. I’m the coach. You are the players.” He went on, in the most elementary of ways, to explain the basics of football. After all, if the foundation is shaky, how can anything of value be built on top of it?

In the whirlwind that is modern life, it may be a good idea from time to time to stop, hold up the “football,” look down field toward the goal line and remember the basics. It’s worth it to remind ourselves every morning of the world that we are not without a game plan, a play book, and Coach. See you at the game!

Five Questions to Get your September Game Plan on Target Whose voice is loudest in my life each day? How am I coping with the everyday challenges in my personal life? When was the last time I intentionally memorized a new Bible verse? What am I doing today that will matter at all five years from now? What is basic to my personal spiritual growth?